How will yesterday's landmark decision in Vergara v. California impact the state school system? How do laptops in the classroom impact learning? Should laptops be banned from the classroom? Later, the 2014 World Cup begins tomorrow. What should the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team be nicknamed?
Post-Vergara v. California: Carving out a vision for the state’s education system
On Tuesday, California Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu issued some surprising decisions on some third-rail topics in education. He struck down teacher tenure protection, seniority-based job protection and existing disciplinary policy on the grounds that they were unconstitutional and harmed students.
RELATED: LA school teachers say Vergara ruling feels like an attack
The case is headed for an appeals court before any changes go into effect, but the landmark case raises the question: if these three elements are unconstitutional, then how should the education system look?
The plaintiffs took issue with teacher tenure after two years, but should there be any teacher tenure at all? If not, how to do you entice talented teachers to take on difficult, lower-paying jobs and stick with them?
RELATED: Vergara trial: Calif. judge says state teacher protections unconstitutional (updated)
Both sides agree students need stability to succeed, but what does that look like? Guest host Patt Morrison talks with several leaders in the field of education about their opinion of the ruling and their vision for the classroom.
Guests:
John Deasy, superintendent, LAUSD
Alex Caputo-Pearl, President, United Teachers Los Angeles
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers
Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education at New York University; former Assistant Secretary of Education (1991-1993)
Eric Lerum, VP of National Policy, StudentsFirst, an educational reform group founded by former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee
Professor argues: Ban laptops in classrooms
In an era when school districts are spending millions of dollars to arm kids with iPads, some college professors are reverting to pen-and-pad-only classrooms. As Professor Daniel Rockmore argues in the New Yorker, "Institutions should certainly enable faculty to experiment with new technology, but should also approach all potential classroom intruders with a healthy dose of skepticism, and resist the impulse to always implement the new, trendy thing out of our fear of being left behind."
He cites studies from Cornell, Princeton and the University of California that compare test-performance of students who take notes with laptops against students writing by hand. The latter group had greater memory retention thanks to what Rockmore says "[reflects and excites] a process of integration, creating more textured and effective modes of recall." What do you think of Rockmore's "electronic etiquette policy?"
How do students react when asked to turn off their screens? How does the subject matter factor in to laptop policy? How does this apply in work environments?
Guest:
Daniel Rockmore, Chair, Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College in New Hampshire; Rockmore wrote “The Case for Banning Laptops in the Classroom” for the New Yorker
Reading tea leaves of the Tea Party after stunning election defeat of Eric Cantor
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) was trounced in a primary election last night, losing to a little known candidate, Dave Brat. The blame and praise being shelled out today focuses plenty on the Tea Party, but Brat does not identify as a Tea Party candidate, nor did that ilk back him with money or campaigning.
Adding insult to injury, Rep. Cantor spent millions of dollars on the race, yet lost nonetheless. As The New York Times reports, "Since the beginning of last year, Mr. Cantor’s campaign had spent about $168,637 at steakhouses compared with the $200,000 his challenger, David Brat, had spent on his entire campaign."
Cantor was seen as an heir apparent to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH). Does this create an opening for California Congressman and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy to vault in as a replacement for Boehner? Who is Brat and why did Virginia voters throw support his way? What lost the election for Cantor, and what does it portend for the GOP's strategies?
Guests:
Ken Rudin, Host of Ken Rudin’s Political Junkie podcast; you can find his weekly podcast at krpoliticaljunkie.com - that’s all one word
Sal Russo, Co-founder & Chief Strategist of @TeaPartyExpress. President of the political consulting firm Russo Marsh + Associates, Inc.
What does nondiscrimination mean for campus religious groups?
This summer Cal State, the largest university system in the U.S., will join the growing group of universities at odds with campus religious student groups as the chancellor prepares to withdraw recognition from certain evangelical clubs.
Many universities, Cal State included, require religious groups to sign nondiscrimination policies pledging not to discriminate on the basis of religion when it comes to leadership selection.
Evangelical groups in particular have contested these policies, arguing that while they don’t discriminate when allowing members into organizations, leadership is different, and allowing a club leader whose religious or personal identity is in conflict with the beliefs of the group would against their religion.
Members of campus religious groups argue that to lead a Bible study or a religious meeting, you have to believe – many groups expect student leaders to abide by a religious lifestyle. Often this includes restrictions about sexuality and abstinence. Colleges that have removed official recognition from religious groups that won’t abide by campus nondiscrimination policies say that these clubs should be about education and inclusivity.
Should campus religious groups be allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion? How should a public school like Cal State handle non-discrimination practices?
Guests:
Susan Westover, lawyer for the California State University System
Greg Jao, National Field Director for the Northeast InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
The U.S. men’s national soccer team should be nicknamed: __________
The World Cup kicks off this Thursday. National-team nicknames are as much a part of the four-year event as the World Cup song. The Brazil national team, the home team, is commonly known as the Canarinho (or the Canary). Ghana’s team is nicknamed the Black Stars, inspired by the country’s flag, while the moniker for the Japan national team is Samurai Blue. And frequently, a team frequent has more than one sobriquets. The U.S. national team is sometimes called the Yanks or the Stars and Stripes.
Slate writer Ben Mathis-Lilley thinks we can do better, and has come up with the American Dream as a more befitting alternative. He argues that a good nickname can help boost the domestic popularity of U.S. soccer, and can give the U.S. team a more cohesive identity.
What do you think of the American Dream? Call us with your suggestion.
Guest:
Mike Woitalla, Executive Editor, Soccer America Magazine. He has covered soccer in 18 countries and is the co-author of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna's book, "More Than Goals” (Human Kinetics, 2004)